The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-04-28
WILD DAYS IN CALIFORNIA.
Pacific Coast Socialists Tanned by the Hang
mans Knot.

F6c1nC CO0Bt SOC18l1BC0 10meO Dy tne h8n8.
mans Knot.
An old Californian, genuine forty
miner, who is spending few days in the
city, remarked, when he saw the account
of the burning of the big hotel at Del
Monte, in his State, last Monday, that he
had no doubt it was the work of Anarch-
lists, because it was the property of a
railroad corporation. The frequency of
similar crimes by Anarchists, especially
in California, would soon necessitate a
repetition of the vigilance committee
work of 1856.
"The work of that committee" he
added, Saved the State. The lawless ell
ement must be again taught severe
lesson, and I believe it must begin in
California, for it is worst there to-day
Do l remember the work of the vigilance
committee of 1855? Well, should say
SO. was right on the spot. Thousands
of dollars had been distributed among
the rough element to influence the cleo
tion for mayor. Murder, riot and arson
were common. A few days before the
election was sitting in one of the lead
ing hotels of San Francisco. DR.. Ran
dali, popular physician, entered and
an English money-lender, named Hether-
ington, a desperate fellow, entered and,
without word, stepped directly up to
the doctor and drove a long knife almost
to the hilt into his left breast. 1t was in
stant death and one of the most cold
blooded murders ever committed in the
city. Hetherington was arrested promptly,
and that night he was hanged by the Wig
ilance committee on the open street. 1t
seemed that the doctor owed Hethering-
ton some money and had refused or de-
layed payment. Hetherington was worth
over $100, 900, and had murdered another
doctor some time before. He got free by
paying $1,000.
"But this example was not sufficient to
put stop to the lawlessness, and the
committee decided that something more
decisive must be done. Jack Hayes was
the sheriff then. He was sent out of the
city ON false scent. The committee
then went to the jail and took out seven
murderers, hustled them to gallows
erected on the street and strung every
one of them up. remember when the
committee was being quietly formed two
desperate characters tried to kill me in
court. Two of my friends, big, strong,
muscular fellows, stepped up and cowed
he desperadoes by showing fight. Then
/ suggested to the Judge that my as
sailants should be bound over to keep
the peace. This was done, and they gave
bonds, but followed me to my Office. They
said they wanted to talk with me. When
we reached my rooms they said they
heard had influence with the vigilance
committee that was being organized and
fearing they would be hanged, they
wanted me to save them. They promised
to behave themselves and the next day /
succeeded In saving their necks. / re-
member that when the committee went
| to get the seven murderers they found a
woman in the jail who had kept q gro
cery store in the cellar of which num-
ber of skeletons had been found, be-
lieved to be those of murdered persons.
The committee was undecided whether
to hang her with the others. Finally, as
there was some doubt about her having
actually committed murder, though there
was NO doubt she had been an accessory
to more than one, 1t was decided to send
her adrift on the ocean in small boat.
After the men had been disposed of she
was taken to the shore and put in boat.
Some provisions were put In with her,
and she had on her person 10000 in
money. Then the boat was sent adrift
| i
was never heard of afterward believe
though imagine 1t possible her friends
followed her along the coast and rescued
her."
Speaking of lively agitators, what has
become Of Denis Kearney, your famous
Sand Lots lesder?'
1--WE haven't heard of him lately, and
he has quieted down entirely. believe
he was led to cease his efforts for liberal
money consideration. remember
though, q narrow escape he had from
being hanged when General Grant visited
the city. Before the general arrived, and
when his coming was the talk of the
city, Kesrney openly boasted that he
would teach the general lesson OF
two, and named certain day and hour
when he and his followers would hang
the general in efflgy. Some Of the
more law-abiding citizens heard of this
and 800 of them got together and resolved
that If Kearney should hang Grant in
efagy they would hang Kearney. They
procured several hundred feet Of rope
with which 1t was intended to drag Kear
ney about town little, and then pull
him up to gallows. A friend of Kear
ney's got wind of the plan and told him
of, 1t. Scared half to death, he at once
ordered oil signs of his efhgy-hangine
0bliterated, and not another word wai
heard of It. What do you suppose the
cheeky fellow did after thatf When
Grant arrived Kearney rugged himself
up In his best and went to the hotel
where the general was and sent up his
card. General Grant refused to see him. .
-Nsr York Nail and Espress.